Chapter 1
Introduction
VXI-SC-1102 User Manual
1-16
©
National Instruments Corporation
LabWindows/CVI features interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art user
interface, and uses the ANSI standard C programming language. The
LabWindows/CVI Data Acquisition Library, a series of functions for
using LabWindows/CVI with National Instruments DAQ hardware, is
included with the NI-DAQ software kit. The LabWindows/CVI Data
Acquisition Library is functionally equivalent to the NI-DAQ software.
ComponentWorks contains tools for data acquisition and instrument
control built on NI-DAQ driver software. ComponentWorks provides a
higher-level programming interface for building virtual instruments
through standard OLE controls and DLLs. With ComponentWorks, you
can use all of the configuration tools, resource management utilities,
and interactive control utilities included with NI-DAQ.
VirtualBench features VIs that combine DAQ products, software, and
your computer to create a standalone instrument with the added benefit
of the processing, display, and storage capabilities of your computer.
VirtualBench instruments load and save waveform data to disk in the
same forms that can be used in popular spreadsheet programs and word
processors.
Using LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, ComponentWorks, or
VirtualBench software will greatly reduce the development time for
your data acquisition and control application.
NI-DAQ Driver Software
The NI-DAQ driver software is included at no charge with all National
Instruments DAQ hardware. NI-DAQ is not packaged with accessory
products. NI-DAQ has an extensive library of functions that you can
call from your application programming environment. These functions
include routines for analog input (A/D conversion), buffered data
acquisition (high-speed A/D conversion), analog output (D/A
conversion), waveform generation, digital I/O, counter/timer
operations, SCXI, RTSI, self-calibration, messaging, and acquiring
data to extended memory.
NI-DAQ has both high-level DAQ I/O functions for maximum ease of
use and low-level DAQ I/O functions for maximum flexibility and
performance. Examples of high-level functions are streaming data to
disk or acquiring a certain number of data points. An example of a
low-level function is writing directly to registers on the DAQ device.
NI-DAQ does not sacrifice the performance of National Instruments
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